Apparatus and method for providing a modular abrasive blasting and recovery system

ABSTRACT

A modular abrasive particle blasting system comprises an abrasive blast assembly including at least one blast vessel for delivering blast particles to an abrasive blasting system. The abrasive blast assembly is mounted within a first skid. An abrasive recycling assembly includes at least one vacuum hopper for receiving grit retrieved from an abrasive blasting process. The abrasive recycling assembly is mounted within a second skid. The first and second skids comprise mounting members at a top section and a bottom section of each of the first and second skids to permit mounting of the first and second skids in alternate stacked arrangements whereby the first skid is selective mounted above and below the second skid. The same skid principal may be used to provide a variety of skids, including blast skid, vacuum skid, recycle skid, storage skid, air dryer skid, dust collector skid and or dehumidification skid.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application is a divisional of U.S. application Ser. No. 13/605,295filed Sep. 6, 2012, which is now U.S. Pat. No. 8,961,270, issued on Feb.24, 2015, the entire disclosure of which is incorporated herein byreference. The present invention also claims the benefit under 35 U.S.C.119(e) of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/531,356 filedSep. 6, 2011 by Roden, J. R., which is hereby incorporated herein byreference in its entirety and to which priority is claimed.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This present invention relates to devices and methods for abrasiveparticle blasting as well as cleaning, separating and reclaiming spentabrasive blasting material that have been employed during an abrasiveblasting process in general and, more particularly, to a system forproviding modular and stackable abrasive particle blasting units andgrit recycling systems.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Abrasive blasting of steel structures, such as ships and highwaybridges, is a necessary step in maintenance of structures. Inparticular, abrasive blasting is a precursor to repainting of steelstructures. One particular problem encountered with structures such asbridges is that the past painting history of the structure typicallywill include a lead-based paint. Abrasive blasting tends to liberatelead dust from such structures. Lead dust however, is considered quitetoxic and is increasingly regulated. One approach to controllingenvironmental contamination from the lead dust resulting from abrasiveblasting is to recover all of the dust resulting from an abrasiveblasting procedure. If the abrasive blasting is accomplished using sandparticles, the lead dust ends up mixed with the sand particles. Thisresults in an undesirably high quantity of hazardous waste forsubsequent disposal. A more desirable alternative is to employ areusable steel abrasive particle. Steel is denser than sand andtherefore more effectively retains blasting energy.

The most commonly used type of abrasive blasting media currently used issilica sand, fine glass beads, steel shot, steel grit, stainless steelshot, cut wire, grit or similar sized pellets, etc. It is possible torepeatedly use the same abrasive blasting material (or media) severaltimes, if the abrasive blasting material is properly cleaned betweeneach use.

One consequence of the abrasive blasting process on the abrasiveblasting materials resulting from high velocity impacting on steelsurfaces being cleaned causes them to abrade and generate contaminantssuch as dirt, paint, mill scale, and rust from the treated surface. Atthe same time a certain amount of fractured, fine abrasive particles(dust) is also produced.

Various types of devices for cleaning and reclaiming spent abrasiveblasting media are available in the related art. Typically, in such adevice, the used abrasive blasting media is vacuumed up and carried inan airstream to a cleaning and separating device. Lightweightcontaminants are removed by air-washing, while large particulatecontaminated material is separated by a separating device.

While known devices for cleaning and reclaiming spent abrasive blastingmedia have proven to be acceptable for various abrasive blasting mediacleaning and reclaiming applications, such devices are neverthelesssusceptible to improvements that may enhance their performance,applicability, cost and attractiveness. With this in mind, a need existsto develop a modular approach for arranging different components of theblast skid, recycle skid and vacuum skid as well as other componentsrelated to the blasting process.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

A modular abrasive particle blasting system comprises an abrasive blastassembly including at least one blast vessel for delivering blastparticles to an abrasive blasting system, said abrasive blast assemblybeing mounted within a first skid; an abrasive recycling assemblyincluding at least one vacuum hopper for receiving grit retrieved froman abrasive blasting process, said abrasive recycling assembly beingmounted within a second skid; wherein said first and second skidscomprising mounting members at a top section and a bottom section ofeach of said first and second skids to permit mounting of said first andsecond skids in alternate stacked arrangements whereby said first skidis selective mounted above and below said second skid.

The modular abrasive particle blasting system further comprises anabrasive vacuum assembly including a vacuum dust collector, saidabrasive vacuum assembly being mounted within a third skid, wherein saidthird skid comprises additional mounting members to permit said thirdskid to be selectively mounted above and below at least one of saidfirst and second skids.

The modular abrasive particle blasting system according to the inventionprovides a modular blast assembly and a modular recycling assembly whichare interconnected by pneumatic hoses. The individual skids aredimensioned the same to mates with each other.

With the structure of the skids as described above, it is possible toprovide modular units of abrasive blasting and recovery which may bestacked or disposed side-by-side. In the preferred embodiment, themodular skids are interconnected by hoses therefore the different skidsmay be disposed in any stacked arrangement with the blast skid beingabove or below the recycle skid. Additionally all three skids may bestacked in any order and additional skids may be provided. Likewise, thesame modular skids may be set side-by-side and interconnected by hosesduring use and operation.

It is also noted that while the above description shows only threeskids, the present invention is not limited to the specific structureand additional skids may be provided. For example, the present inventionmay be modified to include a blast skid, a vacuum skid, a recycle skid,a storage skid, an air dryer skid, a dust collector skid and or adehumidification skid. Likewise, a ladder skid may be provided toinclude a ladder to permit an operator to climb to a desired positionadjacent the system skids mentioned above.

Other aspects of the invention, including apparatus, systems, methods,and the like which constitute part of the invention, will become moreapparent upon reading the following detailed description of theexemplary embodiments and viewing the drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying drawings are incorporated in and constitute a part ofthe specification. The drawings, together with the general descriptiongiven above and the detailed description of the exemplary embodimentsand methods given below, serve to explain the principles of theinvention. In such drawings:

FIG. 1 is a side elevational view of a mobile apparatus for separationand recovery of spent abrasive blasting material according to anexemplary embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 2 is a top plan view of the mobile apparatus of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a schematic view of a process of cleaning, separating andreclaiming spent abrasive blasting material employing the mobileapparatus of FIGS. 1 and 2;

FIG. 4 is a top view of an exemplary blast skid;

FIG. 5 is a bottom view of the blast skid of FIG. 4;

FIG. 6 is an end view of the blast skid of FIG. 4;

FIG. 7 is a side view of the blast skid of FIG. 4;

FIG. 8 is a top view of an exemplary vacuum skid;

FIG. 9 is a bottom view of the vacuum skid of FIG. 8;

FIG. 10 is an end view of the vacuum skid of FIG. 8;

FIG. 11 is a side view of the vacuum skid of FIG. 8;

FIG. 12 is a top view of an exemplary recycle skid;

FIG. 13 is a bottom view of the recycle skid of FIG. 12;

FIG. 14 is an end view of the recycle skid of FIG. 12;

FIG. 15 is a side view of the recycle skid of FIG. 12;

FIG. 16 is a perspective view of a blast skid shown in FIGS. 4-7 stackedon a recycle skid shown in FIGS. 12-15;

FIG. 17 is a perspective view of two vacuum skids as shown in FIGS. 8-11stacked one on top of another;

FIGS. 18 a-18 e are different views of the top and bottom lift cornersshown in FIGS. 4-15;

FIGS. 19 a-19 c are different views of the interlocking key whichinterconnects lift corners of stacked skids;

FIG. 20 is an exploded view of the stacked blast and recycle skids shownin FIG. 16;

FIG. 21 a-21 f are top and side views of different types of skidspossible in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 22 is a schematic showing the hose connections between the vacuumskid, the recycle skid and the blast skid described below.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS AND EXEMPLARY METHODS

Reference will now be made in detail to exemplary embodiments andmethods of the invention as illustrated in the accompanying drawings, inwhich like reference characters designate like or corresponding partsthroughout the drawings. It should be noted, however, that the inventionin its broader aspects is not limited to the specific details,representative devices and methods, and illustrative examples shown anddescribed in connection with the exemplary embodiments and methods.

This description of exemplary embodiments is intended to be read inconnection with the accompanying drawings, which are to be consideredpart of the entire written description. In the description, relativeterms such as “horizontal,” “vertical,” “up,” “down,” “upper”, “lower”,“top” and “bottom” as well as derivatives thereof (e.g., “horizontally,”“downwardly,” “upwardly,” etc.) should be construed to refer to theorientation as then described or as shown in the drawing figure underdiscussion. These relative terms are for convenience of description andnormally are not intended to require a particular orientation. Termsconcerning attachments, coupling and the like, such as “connected” and“interconnected,” refer to a relationship wherein structures are securedor attached to one another either directly or indirectly throughintervening structures, as well as both movable or rigid attachments orrelationships, unless expressly described otherwise. The term“operatively connected” is such an attachment, coupling or connectionthat allows the pertinent structures to operate as intended by virtue ofthat relationship. Additionally, the word “a” as used in the claimsmeans “at least one”.

FIGS. 1-3 of the drawings illustrate a system and a process forseparation and recovery (reclaiming, recycling) of used (or spent)abrasive blasting material (media) according to an exemplary embodimentof the present invention indicated generally by reference numeral 10.The system 10 is an abrasive blasting material recycling system thatincludes vacuum recovery, classification, and air blasting units. Thesystem 10 has four major subsystems: vacuum, classification, compressedair dryer, and blasting, and a control panel 11. According to theconventional arrangement of the present invention, the apparatus 10 is amobile apparatus in the form of a self-contained vehicle 12, such as atrailer, having one or more wheels and axle assemblies 14, one or moretelescopically extensible trailer stabilizer arms 15 that may extendfrom the trailer 12 and can be deployed therefrom to support andstabilize the trailer 12 during the operation of the mobile apparatus10. In accordance with the aspects of the present invention, thecomponents of the system 10 are mounted within separate modular skids.In other words, the components of the apparatus 10 according to theexemplary embodiment of the present invention are mounted in modularskids as opposed to the conventional manner of mounting the componentson a single trailer. In accordance with the present invention, thecomponents of the mobile apparatus 10 are mounted on separate skids.

The apparatus 10 according to the exemplary embodiment of the presentinvention comprises a vacuum recovery unit 16. The vacuum recovery unit16 includes a vacuum storage hopper (bin) 18 for receiving and storing(i.e., recovery of) spent or used, dirty abrasive blasting material,such as abrasive grit. The spent dirty (i.e., contaminated) abrasiveblasting material, generally denoted with the reference numeral 22, iscomposed of the abrasive blasting material (media) 23 and variouscontaminants 24 including large contaminants (large trash items), paintchips and dust. It is desirable to remove the contaminants 24 from thecontaminated abrasive blasting material 22 and recover clean abrasiveblasting material 23 for reuse, as best shown in FIG. 3.

The contaminated abrasive blasting material 22 is initially deliveredinto the vacuum recovery unit 16 via a vacuum pick-up 17. The vacuumpick-up 17 is in fluid communication with a vacuum pump 28 selectivelypowered by a prime mover 29, i.e. a machine that transforms energy fromthermal, electrical or pressure energy to mechanical energy. In theexemplary embodiment of the present invention, the prime mover 29 is inthe form of an internal combustion engine, such as a diesel engine. Itwill be appreciated that any other type of prime mover, such as anelectric motor, is within the scope of the present invention. Both thevacuum pump 28 and the diesel engine 29 are mounted on the trailer 12.As illustrated in FIGS. 3 and 4, the vacuum recovery unit 16 furtherincludes a first (or primary) screening device 20 ₁ disposed in an upperportion of the vacuum storage hopper 18. The first screening device 20 ₁is provided with a screen having a plurality of holes, known as “mesh.”The primary screening device 20 ₁ is provided with the screen havingoversized screen holes for screening (separating) and reclaiming thecontaminated abrasive blasting material from large contaminants (orlarge trash items).

The dirty (dusty) air is removed from the vacuum storage hopper 18 to avacuum dust collector 42 where the air is filtered by primary filters 44and secondary filters 45, then passes through a vacuum tube 46 to thevacuum pump 28, where it is discharged into the atmosphere. The dustremoved from the dirty air is deposited into a dust container 50 througha double dump dust discharge 49, shown in FIG. 3.

The apparatus 10 further comprises a classifier unit 30 in fluidcommunication with the vacuum recovery unit 16. The classifier unit 30includes a dust separator 32 with an air wash intake 33, a second (orsecondary) screening device 20 ₂ disposed in an upper portion ofclassifier bin 34, and a magnetic drum separator 36 disposed downstreamof the secondary screening device 20 ₂. The classifier bin 34 has afunneled lower portion 35 with an outlet opening facing the magneticseparator 36. The magnetic separator 36 is disposed in a separator bin38 located beneath (downstream) the classifier bin 34. The separator bin38 includes a contaminant section 39 ₁ and an uncontaminated section 39₂.

After screening through the primary screening device 20 ₁, the recoveredcontaminated abrasive blasting material 22 from the dirty grittransporter 27 is transported to the classifier unit 30 where it isde-dusted in the air wash of the dust separator 32, screened again inthe secondary screening device 20 ₂, passes over the magnetic drumseparator 36, and is then transferred to a recycled grit storage hopper40.

The contaminated abrasive blasting material 22 (in this case, themixture of the abrasive blasting material and the remainingcontaminates, separated by the secondary screening device 20 ₂ from themedium-size contaminants) falls by gravity through the secondaryscreening device 20 ₂ into the funnel-shaped lower portion 35 of theclassifier bin 34. The medium-size contaminants, such as paint chips,are transported to and deposited into the contaminant section 39 ₁ ofthe separator bin 38. The contaminated abrasive blasting material 22(with the remaining contaminates but without the medium-sizecontaminants) is then deposited into the lower portion 35 of theclassifier bin 34.

The magnetic separator 36 comprises a drum at least a portion of whichis magnetized. Consequently, as the contaminated abrasive blastingmaterial 22 is supplied to the magnetic separator 35, the magneticcontaminants 24 are separated therefrom and conveyed to the contaminantsection 39 ₁ of the magnetic separator bin 38, while the reclaimed(recycled), clean abrasive blasting material 23 is fed to theuncontaminated section 39 ₂ of the magnetic separator bin 38. Therecycled abrasive blasting material 23 (substantially without thecontaminants, i.e., with negligible amount of contaminants, such asdust) is then deposited into the recycled grit storage hopper 40.

The dirty (dusty) air from the dust separator 32 is removed to a recyclecollector 52 (using vacuum created by a recycle blower 54), where theair is filtered by filters 55, then passes to the vacuum dust collector42 where the air is filtered, then discharged into the atmosphere. Thedirty (dusty) air from the contaminant section 39 ₁ of the magneticseparator bin 38 is removed from the contaminant section 39 ₁ of themagnetic separator bin 38 to the vacuum dust collector 42 where the airis filtered by the primary filters 44 and secondary filters 45, thenpasses to the vacuum pump 28 where it is discharged into the atmosphere.The dust removed from the dirty air is deposited into a dust container50, as best shown in FIG. 3.

The recycled (reclaimed) abrasive blasting material 23 is thentransported to a blast pot unit 58 and deposited into a recycled gritstorage hopper 60. The dirty (dusty) air from the recycled grit storagehopper 60 is removed to the recycle collector 52 where the air isfiltered, then passes to the vacuum dust collector 42 where the air isfiltered again, then discharged into the atmosphere. The blast pot unit58 further includes a plurality of blast pots 92. The recycled(reclaimed) abrasive blasting material 23 stored in the recycled gritstorage hopper 60 is loaded in to the blast pots 92 as needed.Compressed air from an external air compressor(s) passes through acompressed air dryer 94 where it is prepared for use in the blast potunit 58 to propel the recycled abrasive blasting material 23 throughhoses 96, where it is directed at steel and other substrates forcorrosion, paint, and contaminate removal. The compressed air dryer 94is connected to the external air compressor(s) via a compressed airconnector 97. Before entering the compressed air dryer 94, thecompressed air passes through a compressed air intercooler 98, which isprovided with a cooling fan unit 100.

After being blasted, the spent abrasive blasting material 22 is vacuumedback into the vacuum recovery unit 16 to start the recycling processagain.

While the components of the system 10 have been shown in FIGS. 1-3 intheir conventional side-by-side arrangement, the present inventionprovides separate and modular skids for the different components of theabrasive blasting and recovery system 10.

By way of example, a top view of a first skid 100; i.e., a blast skid,is illustrated in FIG. 4 and includes access ports 110 and shows a topof a grit or media storage hopper 120. FIG. 4 also shows four liftcorners 130 a of the first skid 100 which will be described in moredetail below. FIG. 5 illustrates a bottom view of the first skid 100 andshows six blast pot vessels 140 and a control panel 150. FIG. 5 alsoshows optional fork lift pocket 160 to permit transport of the firstskid 100 by a fork lift. FIG. 5 also shows four lift corners 130 b ofthe first skid 100. FIG. 6 is an end view of the first skid 100 andshows the access ports 110, the media storage hopper 120 and blastvessels 140. FIG. 6 also illustrates the top lift corners 130 a and thebottom lift corners 130 b. The top and bottom lift corners 130 a, 130 bare fixed, preferably by welding, to the upright frame members 105 whichare formed preferably of a steel of sufficient strength as known in theart. FIG. 7 is a side view of the first skid 100 shown in FIGS. 4-6. Asshown in FIG. 7, the first skid includes the fork lift pockets 160, themedia storage hopper, the access ports 110 and the control panel 150.Also shown in FIG. 7 are the top lift corners 130 a and the bottom liftcorners 130 b. Again, the top and bottom lift corners 130 a, 130 b arefixed, preferably by welding, to the upright frame members 105 which areformed preferably of a steel of sufficient strength as known in the art.The first skid also includes lateral frame members 107 and preferablyangled frame members (not shown).

By way of example, a top view of a second skid 200; i.e., a vacuum skid,is illustrated in FIG. 8 and includes a vacuum exhaust 210, a vacuumblower 220, and a vacuum dust collector 250. Also shown is a controlpanel 240. In accordance with the present invention, the second skid 200includes top lift corners 230 a which are formed and shaped in the samemanner as the top lift corners 130 a of the first skid 100. FIG. 9 is abottom view of the second skid 200 and shows the vacuum blower 220, thecontrol panel 240, and the vacuum dust collector 250. FIG. 9 alsoillustrates a blower exhaust 260, a waste discharge 270, an electricmotor 280, and a vacuum intake silencer 290. Notably, FIG. 9 shows thefour bottom lift corners 230 b of the second skid 200 which are formedand shaped in the same manner as the bottom lift corners 130 b of thefirst skid 100. FIG. 10 is a side view of the second skid 200 and showsthe control panel 240, the waste discharge 270, the electric motor 280,and the vacuum dust collector 250. Also shown in FIG. 10 is an exhaustsilencer 295. As with the first skid 100, the second skid also includesfork lift pockets 265. FIG. 10 also illustrates the top and bottom liftcorners 230 a, 230 b which are fixed by welding to upright frame members205. The second skid also includes lateral frame members 207 and angledframe members 208. FIG. 11 is an end view of the second skid 200 andshows the vacuum blower 220, vacuum dust collector 250, the cooling airinlet silencer 290, and the exhaust silencer 295. The second skid 200 asshown in FIG. 11 includes the top and bottom lift corners 230 a, 230 bas well as the upright frame members 205 and lateral frame members 207.

FIG. 12 illustrates a top view of a third skid 300; i.e., a recycle skid300. The third recycle skid illustrated in FIG. 12 includes a vacuumhopper with screen 310 and a media classifier 320 with screen, air washand magnetic drum separator. As with the first and second skids 100, 200the third skid includes top lift corners 330 a. FIG. 13 is a bottom viewof the third skid 300 and illustrates the classifier 320 and the vacuumhopper 310. FIG. 13 further illustrates vacuum source hose connections340 as well as a grit transfer vessel 350 and a waste outlet 360. Thethird skid 300 further includes forklift pockets 370 and bottom cornerlifts 330 b. FIG. 14 is a side view of the third skid 300 andillustrates the classifier 320, the vacuum hopper 310, the waste outlet360, and the grit transfer vessel 350. FIG. 14 also illustrates aclassifier air wash fan 380 and the fork lift pockets 370. As with thestructure of the first and second skids, the third skid includes the topand bottom lift corners 330 a, 330 b, upright frame members 305 and thelateral frame members 307. FIG. 15 is an end view of the third skid 300and illustrates the air wash fan 380, the waste outlet 360, the magneticdrum separator and classifier 320 and grit transfer vessel 350. Thestructure of the skid 300 includes the upright frame members 305,lateral frame members 307 and angled frame members 308.

In accordance with the primary purpose of the present invention, theskids 100, 200, 300 of FIGS. 4-15 provide a modular system wherebydifferent components of the blasting and recovery system shown in FIGS.1-3 may be stacked or disposed side-by-side depending on the environmentof their use and deployment. For example, FIG. 16 shows one arrangementwhereby the recycle skid 300 is stacked on top of the blast skid 100.Alternatively, FIG. 17 shows an arrangement whereby two vacuum skids 200are stacked one on top of the other. Because these skids 100, 200, 300are interconnected by hoses only, it is possible to either stacked theseskids 100, 200, 300 as shown in FIGS. 16 and 17 or place these sameskids side-by-side as illustrated schematically in FIG. 3.

FIGS. 18 a-18 e show five different views of the lift corners 130 a, 130b, 230 a, 230 b, 330 a, 330 b. When viewed from the top and bottom asshown in FIGS. 18 d and 18 b, the lift corner has an oblong opening 400adapted to receive an interlocking key element 500 shown in FIGS. 19a-19 e. As shown in FIG. 20, a blast skid 100 is located then theinterlocking key 500 is inserted into the oblong opening 400 of the liftcorners 130 a; i.e., the lower (oblong) cone element 502 is insertedinto oblong opening 400. The interlocking key has a main body 505 formedwith bearing legs 506, 507 which come to rest on the lower skid 100. Thecones 502, 504 are adapted to rotate with respect to the main body 505.Next, the recycle skid 300 is lifted (by a crane or other liftingdevice) above the blat skid 100 and lowered onto the blast skid 100 sothat the top (oblong) cone element 504 of the interlocking key 500 isreceived into a corresponding oblong opening 400 of each lift corner 330b of the recycle skid 300. The upper skid 300 comes to rest on thebearing legs 506, 507 to maintain a gap “g’ between the skids 100, 300.Once the top skid 300 is correctly positioned on the lower skid 100, theinterlocking key is rotated via handle 508 so that the oblong cone isrotated. Upon rotation of the oblong cones 502, 504, the interlockingkey is locked in place because the oblong cones are within the liftcorners and rotated so that the oblong shape of the cones 502, 504 is nolonger aligned with the oblong opening 400 of the lift corners. Like akey into a lock, once turned, e.g. 90 degrees, the interlocking key 500is fixed within the lift corners.

With the structure of the skids as described above, it is possible toprovide modular units of abrasive blasting and recovery which may bestacked or disposed side-by-side. In the preferred embodiment, themodular skids 100, 200, 300 are interconnected by hoses therefore thedifferent skids 100, 200, 300 may be disposed in any stacked arrangementwith the blast skid 100 being above or below the recycle skid 300.Additionally all three skids 100, 200, 300 may be stacked in any order.Likewise, the same modular skids may be set side-by-side andinterconnected by hoses during use and operation.

It is also noted that while the above description shows only threeskids, the present invention is not limited to the specific structureand additional skids may be provided. For example, the present inventionmay be modified to include a blast skid, a vacuum skid, a recycle skid,a storage skid, an air dryer skid, a dust collector skid and or adehumidification skid. Likewise, a ladder skid 600 may be provided toinclude a ladder 610 to permit an operator to climb to a desiredposition adjacent the system skids mentioned above. FIGS. 21 a-21 f showtop and side views of an exemplary blast skid (FIG. 21 a), a vacuum skid(FIG. 21 b), a classifier skid (FIG. 21 c), an air dryer skid (FIG. 21d), a dust collector skid (FIG. 21 e), and a ladder skid 600 (FIG. 21f). Of course the exact mechanical components provided within each skidmay be modified and varied depending on the intended use and purpose tobe achieved by the operator. However, each skid is sized (11′×12′) tomatch one another so that each skid may mate with a corresponding skid.

The foregoing description of the exemplary embodiments of the presentinvention has been presented for the purpose of illustration inaccordance with the provisions of the Patent Statutes. It is notintended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise formsdisclosed. Obvious modifications or variations are possible in light ofthe above teachings. The embodiments disclosed hereinabove were chosenin order to best illustrate the principles of the present invention andits practical application to thereby enable those of ordinary skill inthe art to best utilize the invention in various embodiments and withvarious modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated,as long as the principles described herein are followed. Thus, changescan be made in the above-described invention without departing from theintent and scope thereof. It is also intended that the scope of thepresent invention be defined by the claims appended thereto.

1-3. (canceled)
 4. A method for providing a modular abrasive particleblasting system, said method comprising the steps of: providing a firstskid, said first skid comprising mounting members at a top section and abottom section of said first skid; mounting an abrasive blast assemblywithin said first skid, said abrasive blast assembly including at leastone blast vessel for delivering blast particles to an abrasive blastingsystem; providing a second skid, said second skid comprising mountingmembers at a top section and a bottom section of said second skid;mounting an abrasive recycling assembly within said second skid, saidabrasive recycling assembly including at least one vacuum hopper forreceiving grit retrieved from an abrasive blasting process; mountingsaid first skid with said abrasive blast assembly selectively above orbelow said second skid with said abrasive recycling assembly.